Rubio Backs English as Official Language

U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio says he believes English should be declared the official language of the United States. Rubio, a Republican, stated his position on the issue Friday night in a debate that aired on Univision, the Spanish-language network. Rubio's rivals for one of Florida's two Senate seats, Democrat Kendrick Meek and independent Gov. Charlie Crist, also particpated in the one-hour debate.

Immigration was a key topic in the debate, according to the Palm Beach Post, and Rubio said America's immgration laws should be modernized only after the U.S.-Mexico border is secured and new policies related to employment verification can be implemented.

Crist and Meek both said thay oppose making English the official language of the United States, and they both voiced support for finding a way to enable all illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens.